If you love music and know you want to make it your job, the hardest part might not be committing to going for it but choosing your perfect music career. There are tons of different ways you can get involved in music and lots of different music jobs you can do.

This guide should help you narrow down your list a little and figure out which part of the music business suits you best. Below you'll find some common music careers and the pros and cons for each that you should consider before making the leap. You'll also find links to more information about each career.

The Pros of Running a Record Label

Running a record label, you never have to work with music you don't love or a band that drives you crazy.

You can get a hand in every step of the process, from choosing the releases, picking a release date, planning the promotion, working on tours, and so on.

The Cons of Being a Music Promoter

If you work independently, in small venues and with smaller bands, can cost you a fortune - breaking even can be a good night.

Tons of responsibility - show day can be very stressful.

Can be one of the most thankless jobs in music. To some bands - if the show is good: yay us! If the show is bad: boo you!

Promo is hard work, and it could all be for now - you can't MAKE anyone write about the show or come to the gig.

The Pros of Being a Music Agent

Another good job for people who love live music.

Gives you the chance to work with managers, bands, promoters, and labels.

Let's you have a hand in putting shows together without being on the "front lines" like promoters.

The Cons of Being a Music Agent

Can be hard to break into - it can take a long time to get established as an agent.

Unless you get lucky and get a job at an agency right off the bat, you may have to work for little to no money while you're building a name for yourself.

Requires good organizational skills - there are lots of moving parts when you're booking a tour.

When a band is on tour, you're on call.

The Pros of Being a Music Distributor

Get to hear all of the new releases before anyone else and are always the first to know when new albums are coming out.

Get to work closely with record labels and record stores.

Can be a reliable paycheck.

The Cons of Being a Music Distributor

Often have to sell releases that you don't like

Some jobs at distribution companies can go far from the music - packing up boxes, dealing with freight companies, etc.

Unless you have deep pockets, not a job for someone who wants to run their own music-related business.

Can be stressful - labels miss release dates, stores don't pay on time, and so on.

The Pros of Being a Sound Engineer

Get to take part in the excitement of live shows

May get to go on tour with bands

Great for people who like the technical side of music

The Cons of Being a Sound Engineer

Pay can vary greatly, depending on what kind of shows you are doing

You'll need to roll with the punches of working on the best sound desks to the worst and still make it sound good

Like promotion can be a bit thankless. If the band sounds great, they'll congratulate themselves. If the band sounds bad, they like to blame the sound engineer. (Well, not EVERY band, of course, but it happens often.)

The Pros of Being in Music PR

Get to closely with the media

You get to see the payoff for your work quickly when something you're promoting gets reviewed or played on the radio.

Can pay well.

The Cons of Being in Music PR

Very hard work - just getting people to answer your phone calls is a job in itself, and it can take a long time to build up media contacts

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you can't generate any buzz for a record, which puts you in the crosshairs of the band/label

Lots of repetitive work - calling X, Y, and Z for the 100th time, re-sending promos you've already sent, and so on.